Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Nancy Chen, M.D.
Optician · Escondido, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Low-engagement
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Chen from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
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What this data tells you about Dr. Chen
Dr. Nancy Chen is an optician specialist in Escondido, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Chen performed 20,482 Medicare services across 4,219 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Chen received a total of $2,063 from 16 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 77 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. Most payments are for meals and travel — low-value interactions common across virtually all practicing physicians. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Chen is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 5% volume in CA
$2,063 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗20,482
Medicare services
Top 5% in CA for optician
4,219
Unique beneficiaries
$28
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,024 Medicare services per year of practice
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photodynamic therapy gel for precancerous skin | 12,400 | $1 | $2 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of two to fourteen precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to eliminate abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
2,371 | $6 | $16 |
| Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting between 20 and 29 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
1,483 | $69 | $125 |
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
909 | $31 | $90 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
626 | $86 | $160 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growth, 1 Removal of a single precancerous skin growth. This procedure destroys abnormal skin cells to prevent them from developing into cancer. |
535 | $43 | $98 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
388 | $45 | $75 |
| Destruction of 15 or more precancerous skin growths This procedure involves the removal or destruction of fifteen or more precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to treat abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
316 | $146 | $350 |
| Additional skin growth biopsy Removal of a sample of an additional skin growth for laboratory examination. This code is used for each extra lesion biopsied during the same session. |
260 | $46 | $90 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
167 | $557 | $850 |
| Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) A follow-up office visit for an existing patient lasting between 30 and 39 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
152 | $99 | $150 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
128 | $83 | $200 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
72 | $244 | $450 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm Removal of a cancerous skin growth on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
71 | $137 | $225 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 68 | $376 | $550 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks A procedure to remove a growth from the trunk, arms, or legs and send 1 to 5 tissue samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination. |
64 | $503 | $800 |
| Light application with debridement to destroy precancerous skin growth This procedure involves applying light to the skin along with debridement to destroy precancerous skin growths. |
62 | $216 | $270 |
| Destruction of skin growths (warts/lesions), 1-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of one to fourteen skin growths. It is a minor surgical intervention performed on the skin surface. |
55 | $99 | $200 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
45 | $128 | $250 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
41 | $1 | $5 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters on the body, arms, or legs. |
38 | $119 | $300 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion measuring between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters located on the trunk, arms, or legs. |
37 | $155 | $250 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth of scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, 1.1-2.0 cm | 27 | $161 | $275 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
25 | $65 | $150 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The lesion treated measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
21 | $164 | $300 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 2.6-5.0 cm | 20 | $169 | $375 |
| All potassium hydroxide (koh) preparations | 20 | $6 | $20 |
| Punch biopsy of first skin growth A small, circular piece of skin is removed from a skin growth using a circular blade. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination. |
17 | $106 | $190 |
| Injection into skin growths, 1-7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into one to seven skin growths. |
17 | $36 | $75 |
| Complicated wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound measuring between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters on areas such as the face, neck, hands, or feet. |
17 | $220 | $750 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The growth measured between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
16 | $76 | $200 |
| Additional Mohs surgery stage with microscopic exam This procedure involves the removal and microscopic examination of an additional stage of tissue from the trunk, arms, or legs. It is performed in stages to ensure complete removal of the growth. |
14 | $361 | $500 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. A higher procedure volume generally indicates more experience with that procedure.
0.1% high complexity
4.8% medium
95.1% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$2,063
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $295/year across 7 years
Top 36% in CA for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
16
Companies
77
Individual payments
All payments are legal and publicly reported · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$1,915 (92.8%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$148 (7.2%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$671
2023
$509
2022
$223
2021
$132
2020
$127
2019
$79
2018
$322
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
UCB, Inc.
$297
ABBVIE INC.
$215
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$46
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$41
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$37
Lilly USA, LLC
$15
Incyte Corporation
$14
Biofrontera Inc.
$5
Top 3 companies account for 83.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$425
UCB, Inc.
$297
ABBVIE INC.
$254
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$195
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$195
PFIZER INC.
$186
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$132
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$94
AbbVie, Inc.
$79
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$47
Lilly USA, LLC
$45
AbbVie Inc.
$32
Incyte Corporation
$32
GENZYME CORPORATION
$31
Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$15
Biofrontera Inc.
$5
Top 3 companies account for 47.3% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AMELUZ · AMZEEQ · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · EUCRISA · Humira · OPZELURA · REMICADE · RINVOQ · SKYRIZI · SOOLANTRA · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · ULTRAVATE (halobetasol propionate) lotion · ZILXI
Should you be concerned? Payments from pharmaceutical and device companies are legal and common — 57% of U.S. physicians receive at least one. They often reflect legitimate consulting, research, or education. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
Most payments (93%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Opticians within 10 mi
424
Per 100K population
12.9
County median income
$102,285
Nearest hospital
PALOMAR HEALTH DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
0.0 mi
0.0 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | Weekly updates |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | Monthly updates |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not public | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Chen is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 5% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 20 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Chen experienced with photodynamic therapy gel for precancerous skin?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Chen performed 12,400 photodynamic therapy gel for precancerous skin services. Research suggests that higher procedure volume is often associated with better outcomes, particularly for complex procedures. Note that Medicare data only captures patients aged 65 and older, so the total practice volume across all patients is likely higher.
Does Dr. Chen receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Chen received a total of $2,063 from 16 companies across 77 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common among physicians — 57% of all U.S. physicians receive at least one industry payment. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Chen's costs compare to other opticians in Escondido?
Dr. Chen's average Medicare payment per service is $28. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Chen) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating a long track record of practice, Medicare participation, and industry disclosure. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Each data source has its own update cycle. Provider registry data (NPPES) is updated weekly. Medicare enrollment (PECOS) is updated monthly. Medicare practice data has a ~2 year lag — the most recent available is typically 2 years prior. Industry payment data (Open Payments) is published annually, usually in June, covering the prior calendar year. We display the data date prominently on each section so you always know how current it is. See our data freshness policy →
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About this page
All data on this page is sourced verbatim from public federal records published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
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